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Department of Education Opens Competition for $23 Million in Physical Education Program (PEP) Grants

Date: 3/22/16

March 22, 2016 – Silver Spring, MD – The Department of Education announced yesterday they will award $23 million in Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grants for the 2016-17 school year.

PEP grants are multi-year grants used for PE equipment purchases and teacher training that are associated with innovative physical education methods. The PEP program is being phased out as part of the move to the ‘Every Student Succeeds Act’ (ESSA) but the newly announced PEP program grants will receive full funding in year one (FY2017).

To view the PEP Grant notice please click here: and to view the application click here. Grant applications must be submitted by May 20, 2016 and government review completed by July 19, 2016.

“The PEP program has had great success in providing quality Physical Education to get children engaged in healthy, active lifestyles,” said Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Vice President of Government & Public Affairs, Bill Sells. “SFIA helped to create the PEP grant program, and we’re pleased an additional $23 million will be delivered to local schools,” he added.

The PEP Program was pioneered by the SFIA, and has been a legislative priority for several years. PEP received $47 million in funding FY2015 and since PEP started as a $5 million pilot program in 2001, it has provided more than $1 billion in federal funding dedicated to PE in schools.

ABOUT SFIA: The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the #1 source for sport and fitness
research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products and fitness industry. SFIA seeks to promote sports and fitness participation as well as industry vitality through research, thought leadership, public affairs, industry affairs, and member services. For more information, please visit www.sfia.org.